So you want to have your wedding in Oahu, Hawaii…

But you have absolutely no idea how to plan it or where to begin. Well, have no fear, friend. Hawaii is my favorite place in the world! And as a Hawaii wedding and elopement photographer, I couldn’t be happier to share my insider tips and tricks on how to have the most breathtaking wedding in Oahu you could imagine.

Kualoa Ranch’s Jumanji venue in Oahu, Hawaii

Wedding venues in Oahu

Oahu is so seriously enchanting that it feels like literally everywhere you look could be the perfect place to have your wedding. But, to make your search a bit easier, here are my top recommendations for wedding venues in Oahu:

• Kualoa Ranch has a gold mine of awesome wedding venues. Paliku Gardens is located at the base of the Kanehoalani mountain with two large lawns, an upper garden, an open-air pavilion, and sweeping views. The Moli’i Garden is a two-tiered garden bordering an 800-year-old Hawaiian fish pond. Their Secret Island is just a short boat ride from the main property, with idyllic beaches, palm trees, and mountain views. Jumanji is in Ka’a’awa Valley, the iconic valley you may have seen in Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, and more. Lastly, their newest location Ke`alohiwai + Pahalona Beach is perfect for intimate weddings with a spacious lawn and grassy beaches (the featured photo of at top of this post).

• Dillingham Ranch is a 2,700-acre property on the North Shore of Oahu. With tons of beachfront land with the recently restored Big House at the center of the property in its original 19th-century condition.

• Waimea Valley is also located on the North Shore with botanical gardens and loaded with gorgeous venues for your ceremony and venue, both in-door and out-door. With the Main Lawn or Palm Meadow for big weddings and the Waterfall or Puhala for smaller ones, they have something for every wedding size.

• Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute has three options for your wedding day ready to accommodate anywhere from 50 to 500 guests (or more). They even have their own wedding packages complete with a musical soloist and bouquet.

Oahu elopement locations

I get it, a full-on wedding isn’t for everyone. For my fellow adventurous souls, I’ve got a few recommendations for Oahu elopement locations.

Gorgeous Hikes

With so many incredible places to choose from, I have to say hikes are one of my favorite Oahu elopement locations. My favorite trail is about a 50-minute round trip, taking 25-ish minutes on average to hike both ways. Though it’s pretty steep and you’re literally hiking upward the entire time, it’s pretty easy for the average individual. The great thing also is that the hikes are always near beaches on Oahu. So you could always do a first look on the beach, then vows on top of a mountain!

Various Waterfalls

There are multiple waterfalls you must see regardless if you choose to elope in front of one or not! My personal fave is about a 45-minute hike one-way. You’ll traverse through the luscious Hawaiian jungles and feel fully immersed in the natural beauty of the island. The waterfall at the end of the hike is unbelievably serene. The best time to see the waterfalls would definitely be winter when the island tends to get the most rainfall. And be prepared to get a little muddy (honestly, it’s part of the fun!) What better way to celebrate the lifelong commitment you’ve made with the love of your life than sharing your vows to each other in a literal paradise?

Oahu Beaches

Okay, let’s be honest, half of the reason you want to elope in Oahu is for the beaches. With the trademark golden sand, sapphire blue waters, and allll the good vibes, Oahu’s beaches are to die for and make the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable elopement. Plus, as a former local, I have the inside scoop on all the best secret beaches. Get in touch, and I’ll show you around!

Spitting Cave

Named after the caves that “spit” rushing waves back into the ocean, this little-known spot on Oahu has picturesque views and some really rad rock formations. The pounding waves and 70-foot cliffs make for an exhilarating elopement experience. This place is unique in that it won’t be packed out for sunset, so if you’re looking for those once-in-a-lifetime memories and photos to go with, this is the place for your elopement in Oahu. However, be careful of the high tide, the waves can get intense and make this spot too dangerous to visit.

Wedding Vendors Oahu

I know you want every detail of your wedding in Oahu to be as idyllic as the soft and sandy Hawaiian beaches you’ll fall in love with there. So I’ve compiled a list of just a few of my favorite vendors on Oahu who will do everything they can to make your wedding a dream come true. Most whom I’ve worked with multiple times!

Florists in Oahu:

• Bella De Jour Floral brings a touch of French romance to the islands, specializing in weddings and events, and is your one-stop shop for custom arrangements, installations, and more.
• Mango House Floral creates a wide range of one-of-a-kind florals from your everyday arrangement to customizing wedding venues that’ll leave a lasting impression.
• Puaka’ie Floristry specializes in custom wedding and event floral design with beautiful tropical touches to bring allll the island vibes while keeping it timeless.

Videographer in Oahu:

• Coastal Films is a team of videographers that specialize in cinematic views and dramatic drone shots with packages for 4 or 7 hours of coverage.

• Sav & Cam have a documentary-style approach to their videography, specializing in Super 8 and 16mm film for those who love that vintage touch.

Oahu Hair and Makeup Artists:

• Bricelyn Hair and Makeup is perfect for trendy brides who love that editorial look for both their hair and makeup.

• Makeup by Kate O. has got you covered from full bridal glam to subtle natural bridal makeup looks.

• REVEAL Hair & Makeup is a mobile team that specializes in natural or glamorous hair and makeup for weddings available on all Hawaiian islands.

Oahu Wedding Planners:

• For The Good Events can do it all, tropical paradise or laid-back bohemian vibes and everything in between, they can take your vision for your wedding in Oahu and bring it to life.

• All The Deets is a design and coordination company specializing in turning your love story into an unforgettable celebration.

Luxury Picnics in Oahu:

• Island Picnic Co creates the most beautiful intimate picnic settings that are absolutely perfect for your Oahu elopement.

Nearby airports

Since you want to have your wedding in Oahu, you’re in luck. The Honolulu International Airport is where you’ll fly in and is pretty central to everything! Doesn’t get any easier than that!

Places to stay on Oahu

You’ve come all this way to have your wedding on Oahu, so it only makes sense you get the full Hawaii experience. But with all of the resorts and hotels, it’s basically impossible to know where to stay. That’s why I recommend staying in one of the hundreds of Airbnbs or VRBOs available on Oahu.

Oahu North Shore Airbnb and VRBO

The best place to find Airbnbs and VRBOs with that full-on, this-feels-like-a-movie Hawaii feel is Oahu’s North Shore. Best known for its big waves, impressive surfing scene, and laid-back vibes, the North Shore of Oahu is chock full of surf shops and indie galleries Hawaii is known and loved for. If you catch Oahu in the summer months, the North Shore’s water is picture-perfect calm and ideal for snorkeling enthusiasts.

East Shore Oahu Airbnb and VRBO

The East Shore of Oahu will not disappoint either. Also known as Windward Oahu, there you’ll find stunning sunrises, blue-as-blue-can-get water, and snowy white beaches (easily some of the most beautiful beaches in the world). The iconic beaches like Lanikai and Kailua are usually crowded, but definitely worth taking a dive in their crystal clear waters!

Hotels on Oahu

If you’d still prefer a hotel to Airbnbs, you will be more limited in where you can stay on Oahu. Most hotels on Oahu will be found in towns like Honolulu/Waikiki where there are typically more tourists and less local Hawaiian feel. That being said, hotels are still a great place to stay central to all of the things on the island if you can only stay for a couple of days. Here are my recommendations:

• The Laylow Hotel 

  Okay, I know I said Airbnbs are the best, but this place is a close second. The mid-century modern island vibes are so rad and it’s only a 6-minute walk from Waikiki beach and a short drive from the Diamond Head Hiking area (and I love a good hike).

• Ko Olina

  A huge area of land on the West Shore of Oahu that has four luxury resort experiences and plenty of golf courses. Hotels include:

  • Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina

  • Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa

  • Beach Vilas at Ko Olina

  • Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club

• Turtle Bay Beach Resort

  Found on Oahu’s North Shore, this resort is a bit out of the way, but is home to Green sea turtles and calm waters, perfect for my fellow honu lovers.

Hawaii elopement packages

If you and your person are ready to elope in paradise, I’d be stoked to make that dream come true! As someone who eloped herself, it’s something I get so stoked about documenting for others! My Hawaii elopement packages include planning assistance, officiant services (where applicable), 4-12 hours of coverage, and rad vibes all the way around.  I even offer an all-inclusive package option for Oahu elopements specifically.

Permits needed for a wedding in Oahu

Permit requirements for elopements and weddings in Oahu completely depend on where you decide to bring your forever together. For example, all Hawaii state parks require a permit for all weddings, intimate weddings, and elopements whereas many private venues like Kualoa Ranch do not. You’ll want to look into WIKI permits for beach ceremonies. I’d love to help you plan for permits and licenses, so reach out if you are unsure about a specific location you have in mind (planning and recommendations are included in my Hawaii elopement packages!).

Activities on Oahu

For before, during or after the wedding, I’ve got loads of recommendations for activities to do while you’re in Oahu, whether you want to relax, adventure, or just explore Oahu and all of its natural splendor.

• Rent a private charter to explore Oahu’s coasts for swimming with dolphins, snorkeling or just cruising around. Either boat rental company I mentioned before is gonna be a GREAT pick!

• Ziplining has got to be one of my favorite activities to do in Hawaii. You get sweeping views of Oahu’s gorgeous landscape while you fly through the air. I love CLIMB Works, but I also recommend Kualoa Ranch to fellow Jurassic Park fans.

• Swimming with sharks was hands down the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had. You’ve gotta experience it for yourself. I recommend checking out One Ocean Dive for an unforgettable experience.

• Skydiving is the ultimate activity for my fellow adventurous souls. Plus, I know the owner of SkyDive Hawaii and cannot recommend them enough.

• Hiking on Oahu is every nature lover’s dream. There are so many amazing hiking trails for every level of hiker, whether you prefer a more casual stroll or love to challenge yourself with uphill treks. Crouching Lion hike, Lulumahu Falls Trail, and Lanikai Pillbox hike are some of my personal favorites. Just be careful if it has rained recently, these trails can be very slippery when they’re muddy.

Best time of day for weddings in Oahu

For weddings in Oahu, my favorite time of the day for those beautiful photographs are either sunrise or sunset. But, some places are better at sunrise, while others are best at sunset. Oahu’s East Shore is best at sunrise, places like Crouching Lion Hike are absolutely breathtaking at that time of day. Sunset is best on the North Shore of Oahu (though as a photographer, I’m a huge fan of both).

Seasons on Oahu

Because of its tropical climate, Oahu really only has two seasons: summer and a very mild winter. During the summer months (May to October), the average temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Oahu is most crowded with tourists, but there are still plenty of places to go to avoid crowds!

In the mild winter months (November to April), Oahu experiences its rainy season with moderate temperatures (no snow here), but also its whale season. If you’ve ever thought about whale watching, this is the perfect time and place!

How to get married in Oahu

Planning your elopement or wedding in Oahu from out of state can be stressful. But as an Oahu elopement photographer, I make it my mission to make sure your wedding feels like a real-life paradise. I consider Hawaii my second home and hold a deep love and respect for the land, its culture, and its people. So, I recommend learning more about Hawaiian culture before you visit, and always be respectful of the land, following the Leave No Trace guidelines. I can’t wait to share it all with you. Reach out and we can start planning your paradise today!